A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Aegina vs. Messina for Attractions, Nightlife, Families, and Food

Should you visit Aegina or Messina?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Aegina or Messina? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Aegina

Aegina is a fun, active, and relaxing island. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches.

Messina

Messina is a local, historic, and bustling port city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Aegina and Messina: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Aegina or Messina?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Messina than Aegina, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Messina is better known for its big city activities, while Aegina is more popular for its museums, beaches, and small town charm. Aegina is more touristy than Messina and is known for its local pistachio nuts, its nice seaside setting, and its easy access from Athens. Messina is well known for being the entry and departure point to Sicily for those traveling by ferry. Also, Messina is famous for Piazza del Duomo.

How is Aegina different from Messina?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Messina and Aegina. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Aegina or Messina?

Aegina is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Messina is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Aegina. There are several temples on the island such as the Temple of Athena Aphaia and the Temple of Apollo. There's also and Archeological Museum that is nice to visit.

Messina offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are a number of historic sights around town including the Cathedral and the Piazza del Duomo, the Bell Tower and Astronomical Clock, Santissima Annunziata dei Catalani, and the Regional Museum. There are also many ornate fountains around town.

Is the Food Better in Aegina or Messina? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Aegina and Messina can be difficult as they are each notable in their own way.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Aegina area. There's a vibrant restaurant scene that includes traditional eateries serving seafood and refreshing ice cream shops where you can cool off with a scoop of your favorite flavor.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Messina. The city's cuisine is a mix of the cultures that have influenced Sicily over the centuries. The city has a longstanding fishing industry and one of the most popular dishes are swordfish rolls. Also try the pidone (similar to calzones with different fillings), and the focaccia (a local bread).

Is Aegina or Messina Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Aegina or Messina has a better nightlife scene.

The people in Aegina know how to have a good time. There's a great nightlife scene on the island. Most of the dance clubs are found in Agia Marina and you'll find more relaxing lounges around Aegina Town and other villages on the island.

The nightlife in Messina has something for everybody. The nightlife scene is mostly centered around the old town and you'll find a mix of locals and tourists hanging out in pubs and bars. During the summer months there are often free outdoor concerts to enjoy.

Is Aegina or Messina Better for Beaches?

Aegina is a island with good options for its beaches. However, Messina is not particularly known for the beache.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Aegina. While most of the beaches are small and crowded, they do offer a number of tourist facilities such as nearby bars and restaurants, as well as hotels. The most popular beaches on the island are Souvala and Agia Marina.

You can check out the beach in Messina. There are pebbly beaches in the area that are becoming more popular with tourists.

Is the Shopping Better in Aegina or Messina?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Messina and Aegina.

Many visitors go to Aegina to go shopping. You'll find the standard souvenir shops around town where you can buy trinkets or other items you may have forgotten.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Messina. The best shopping is around Piazza Cairoli with the main shopping streets being Viale Europa and Viale San Martino. There are many small boutiques that have cheaper prices than some of the more upscale Sicilian towns.

Is Aegina or Messina Better for Families?

Messina is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Aegina is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Messina is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. There are a number outdoor activities that kids will enjoy including Parco Avventura Dei Peloritani, which has ropes and obstacle courses. There's also the Karting Center, which is fun for the whole family, or a small aquarium in town. If you're looking for an excursion outside of town, head to Cascata Cataolo waterfall, which is very kid-friendly.

Aegina offers lots of family activities. Kids will enjoy the ferry ride from Athens as well as the pirate stories they'll hear throughout their trip. There are places that the whole family can swim and great restaurants with kid-friendly food.

Is Aegina or Messina Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Aegina and Messina make for a notable place to visit.

Aegina is a good island for couples to visit. Couples will appreciate the beauty and great restaurants that this beautiful island offers. It's a charming day trip from Athens that is filled with impressive historical sights and a nice atmosphere.

Messina is a nice destination for couples. Most visitors see the city as an arrival or departure point for Sicily, but those couples who linger will appreciate a number of historical sights and a nice atmosphere.

Is Aegina or Messina Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Aegina and Messina are notable places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Aegina. Like most visitors, backpackers can hop on a ferry in Athens and visit the island as a day trip. It makes a nice excursion with many affordable restaurants and fun activities.

Messina is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. If you're traveling by train or ferry, you'll likely arrive or depart from this city. There are a number of hostels and cheap guesthouses around town that offer affordable accommodation.

Is Aegina or Messina Better for Students?

Messina is a popular place for students. However, Aegina is not popular with students.

Messina is popular with students. There are a few study abroad opportunities that bring international students to town. The city also have good transportation connections and a friendly atmosphere that is welcoming to students.

Aegina is not popular with students.

Is Aegina or Messina Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Aegina and Messina.

You'll find some public transit in Aegina, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. You'll find the central bus station in Aegina Town and there you can catch buses that travel around the island.

While Messina offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. If your legs are tired then there's an efficient bus system that you can use.

Is Aegina or Messina a more walkable city?

Messina is a great destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Aegina is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Messina is a very walkable destination. Most of the city's attractions can be reached on foot and the port is a ten to fifteen minute walk from Piazza del Duomo.

Aegina is somewhat walkable. The town is walkable, but to explore elsewhere on the island, it's easiest to have your own vehicle.

For even more information, also check out Is Aegina Worth Visiting? and Is Messina Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Messina or Aegina?

How long in Aegina or Messina?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Aegina and Messina. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Messina than in Aegina. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Aegina, and 2-3 days is enough time in Messina.

Families should spend more time in Messina than Aegina. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Messina, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Aegina than Messina. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Aegina that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

One day in Aegina or Messina?

In Aegina, you'll find nightlife and food. This island offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Messina. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Aegina or Messina?

In Aegina, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Aegina has to offer.

Messina is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Aegina or Messina?

Aegina is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Messina. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Aegina or Messina?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Aegina. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Aegina. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the local destination of Messina. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Honeymoon Tours in Greece, The Best Luxury Tours to Greece, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Italy, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Aegina and Messina, we can see that Messina is more expensive. And not only is Aegina much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Aegina would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Aegina and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Messina would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Messina than you might in Aegina.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Aegina Expensive? and Is Messina Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Aegina or Messina?

Messina has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Aegina. When comparing the sizes of Aegina and Messina, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Aegina or Messina?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Aegina or Messina in the Summer?

Both Messina and Aegina are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Aegina in the summer for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Messina for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Aegina is around the same temperature as Messina. Typically, the summer temperatures in Aegina in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Messina averages at about 27°C (80°F).

It's quite sunny in Messina. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Aegina. Aegina usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Messina during summer. Aegina gets 357 hours of sunny skies, while Messina receives 332 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Aegina usually receives less rain than Messina. Aegina gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Messina receives 19 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Aegina or Messina in the Autumn?

Both Messina and Aegina during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Aegina for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Messina because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Aegina is generally around the same temperature as Messina. Daily temperatures in Aegina average around 19°C (67°F), and Messina fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

It's quite sunny in Aegina. In the autumn, Aegina often gets more sunshine than Messina. Aegina gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Messina receives 189 hours of full sun.

Messina gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Aegina usually gets less rain in October than Messina. Aegina gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Messina receives 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Aegina or Messina in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Aegina and Messina. The winter months attract visitors to Aegina because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Messina this time of year.

Aegina is cooler than Messina in the winter. The daily temperature in Aegina averages around 10°C (51°F) in January, and Messina fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Aegina usually receives more sunshine than Messina during winter. Aegina gets 143 hours of sunny skies, while Messina receives 115 hours of full sun in the winter.

Messina receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Aegina usually receives less rain than Messina. Aegina gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Messina receives 113 mm (4.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Aegina or Messina in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Aegina as well as Messina. The beaches and the small town charm are the main draw to Aegina this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Messina for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In the spring, Aegina is around the same temperature as Messina. Typically, the spring temperatures in Aegina in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Messina averages at about 16°C (60°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Messina. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Aegina this time of the year. In the spring, Aegina often gets more sunshine than Messina. Aegina gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Messina receives 207 hours of full sun.

Aegina usually gets less rain in April than Messina. Aegina gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Messina receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Messina and Aegina